RECORDER HAND POSITION | Tutorial
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- Опубліковано 8 сер 2016
- The absolute foundation of recorder playing is having a good hand position! Sounds simple, but improving your hand position will literally make everything else easier - from playing fast notes to ensuring you don't injure yourself.
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NEXT WEEK'S VIDEO - how to stretch your hands to play the big recorders!
Resources mentioned in this video:
- 'Musica Getutscht: A Treatise on Musical Instruments' (1511) by Virdung
- 'Principes de la flute' (1707) by Jacques Hotteterre
- 'The Modern Recorder Player' book 1 by Walter van Hauwe
In this video I play on a 442 alto by Yoav Ran, and briefly show a 466 Renaissance tenor by Adriana Breukink.
Don't forget to check out my other videos, and subscribe to my channel for more tutorials on the recorder, being a freelance musician and music teaching! A new video will be posted every week.
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Website: www.sarahjeffery.com
Twitter/Instagram @sockmyshoe
Go #teamrecorder
My goodness. If you are this thorough and helpful with how to breathe into a recorder as you are with how to hold one, ( fingers crossed as I have not checked to see if you do a video on that), I think I may be well on my way to doing a scale without driving myself and everyone else crazy. Thank you!
Thank you so much Sarah! I have finally corrected my thumb position and can now hit the high notes much more easily and consistently!
I am just at the start of learning (in my 50s!) and this really helped me this morning. Thank you! You are so jolly, just what we need right now!
Oh my gosh! I'm glad you mentioned the right pinky thing about not using it to support your instrument. I'm following Brian Bonsor's "From Descant to Treble" book and it told me to use the pinky for support. It's good to know this isn't necessary if you have proper body position! Thanks!
I just subscribed. I've been playing the guitar for over 35 years. I play the piano as well and and other than the tuba which was a lifetime ago (6th & 7th grade). I have not played any instrument that requires blowing. This video is excellent!!! Thank you for sharing your talent and experience!!!!
Must be the absolute best video I have seen as a musician and teacher. I have a 40 year musical instrument background in Trumpet, Cornet, Flugelhorn, Trombone, Piano, Guitar (I am like Paul McCarney& play 4 chords). Apart from blowing my self worth up, it shows I have seen a hell of a lot of music training videos. The number that address the detail and importance of correct positioning of the instrument is few, yet it plays a significant part. I have never played woodwind, so decided on Alto Recorder.
Thank you so much; this video was a little miracle for me, and helped with many of my issues that have become bad habits. To see this broken down and explained in such a kind and thoughtful way was fab.
Wonderful, as always! Practical tips and exercises so well explained! Thank you, thank you!
Omg awesome elbow hyperextension!!!!! EDS is just great hahaha
Thank you so much for all of your wonderful videos! They are fantastic.
Thank you so much for all of your guidance and advice when it comes to learning the recorder. I have just recently started learning this wonderful instrument and i think i would be even more lost without you to guide me. Please keep making these amazing videos, even if they seem like repeats or basic topics. Trust me, there are loads of us out there who are digesting everything we can to make us better students and ultimately better players.
your videos are super useful, and fun.
Thanks for all those tips, you're a very good teacher.
Comprehensive and well explained. Thank you, I've been looking for help with beginning to play. I will follow for more help!
Great video, thanks. And I was going to ask you about stretching for the big recorders, so I'm looking forward to your next video!
Some teacher told me the left hand goes on top....Nice to know I can play with my right hand on top and it's okay. I do have trouble playing the low C tho. Thanks for your videos! You are adorable!
Thanks again for a great video! Ive not been playing recorder long and will try the thumb thing you did as I sometimes find it difficult to get the half hole bit done with my thumb. Practice, practice, practice!!!
Sarah!! It must be close to your birthday. Even if a little late, I wish a very happy birthday to one of the finest and most engaging recorder professionals ever!!
Awesome as always Sarah thanks!🙏🙏🙏
"Thanks, John. Go now." :-) :-) :-)
Happy birthday! And thank you for this absolutely awesome and helpful video. This video is what exactly I needed.
Thanks!
This helped me a lot! + Adjusting the last joint so that it's a little easier for my pinky to reach.
Besides that, after blowing a while, my mouth/cheeks/nose started tingling for some reason. It was very odd.
This helped me a lot with trying to get a relaxed position, cover the holes and reach the low note on an alto. It was feeling impossible. Thanks!
+Lisa Lohr Glad it helped 😄
thank you! Very clear
Perfect teacher! I love your videos, Kristin
But she's Sarah...who is Kristin?
I love your videos!
Great tutorial indeed. For the past 17 yrs in use (4 fingers left hand) & 3 right hand & it works well for me. Tried hard to adjust to the 3-4 finger position but yo!!
Have you found any advantage over 3-4 to 4-3? I accidentally got really used to 4-3 and now when I try 3-4 it feels weird and makes my playing incosistent.
I started playing with my right hand on top before I watched your videos. I play guitar so my right pinky is the only finger that doesn't really get used that much, it just made sense. Switching hands on recorder made it feel much more stable though.
Thank you soooo much! I'm a guitarist and I like to play the recorder to help with my phrasing. I've really been struggling with hand position and getting a consistent low F. I'm hitting it a lot more consistently just after following your vid. this has also reminded me how important posture is in playing guitar. Soooo, more practice, yeah!
+Parlor Music Oh, that's great that it helped! And yes, posture is so important- glad to hear it will affect the guitar playing positively too :)
Awww vintage Team Recorder! ❤️
So helpful. I finally close my pinky hole. Just start learning a musical instrument. Use your tutorial from day 1.
Very helpful thank you
Nice ! Tnks very much very helpfull
Another thing for me to practice! LOL! Us newbies have a lot to learn! Thank you for these videos :D.
Oh my, your elbow bends the other way !! 😯
Thank you for the good exercises and explanations! These are things one doesn't really think about when starting to play the recorder...too focused on learning the fingerings and making those notes sound right I suppose.
I noticed that too! She's hypermobile.
I needed this video 60 years ago. It goes with the superstition that the recorder is not a 'serious' instrument, so they don't teach the basic 'how to hold' it
Hi Sarah, great videos I've been watching to help me get started! Is it possible to do one explaining the finger positions as in part II of Hauwe The Modern Recorder Player Volume 1 please? I find the explanation very difficult to understand without seeing it so I'm worried I've been learning wrong.
Hello from San Sebastian (Spain) Sarah! Congratulations, it´s very helpfull. Only one thing about little finger of the rigth hand to hold the recorder: when I see videos of the most famous recorder players all of them are using the little finger to hold the recorder. If you play the note G whithout using this little finger you have to push down with finger 2. Only using little finger you can keep the fingers of the left hand complitely relaxed. Maybe I´m wrong, but this my experience...
Hi, that's right, a lot of people use the little finger to balance the recorder. It's personal preference, and no way s right or wrong! Don't forget that modern recorder practice is actually very new, and the great recorder players of the past decades (e.g Frans Bruggen) were kind of working it out on their own. And techniques develop and change! Personally I believe it's a question of balancin the instrument. If you have a good posture and hand position, the recorder is sufficiently balanced and supported between the right thumb and your lips, to give ALL fingers freedom. You don't need to hold it with the pinky. If I support the recorder with my little finger, the fingers next to it aren't quite as free anymore.
There are exceptions - I support with my little fingers when playing renaissance instruments for example, that have an open G/D (no fingers at all) But in the end, do what works best for you, there are no recorder police :)
I think for me is better holding the recorder with the pinky, but I´ll try playing as you say. Thank you very much Sarah.
Brilliant tutorial - I am now going into the practise room (my bedroom) to work on improving my hand position - thank you Sarah for all of these videos - with your help (and the brilliant, if sometimes daunting due to the sheer amount of content in them, books by Gudrun Heyens that you recommended) I feel like I am actually making progress after being sort of stuck for what seems like years. I will play the Sammartini - eventually!
Great!!!
Hi, Sarah, I really appreciate all of your tutorials. I'm experimenting with using hair ties looped onto my tenor, except rather than looping in my thumb I am adding more hair ties and looping it around my wrist - it seems more stable too me. We'll see how it goes. Thanks again for sharing!
Ah, that's a great tip! Indeed, let me know how it works out!
very very thank you.
Hi Sarah, Your vids are excellent. I am a pianist; however, I have taken a liking to the baroque recorder especially the diminutions because I want to "transcribe" some cool Bach pieces. Is there an excersise where I might practice, on the soprano, the thumb when going form c (third space treble) to g (above the f treble) as arpeggiated quicky? Or do I just have to suffer the wiggling thumb to get the g? I'd appreciate any help.
I subscribed
Greenhorn Rolo to the recorder here. I've subscribed and value you're courage plus capabilities. For myself, knowing that i'll be utilizing practically everyone of your videos until i reach proficiency. Can you please link me to the "Team Recorder," t-shirt purchasing page. Either one representing yourself or a customized one for myself. Does this make sense? Your time and effort are deemed valuable to me, your's too John. So I deem representing das team as a means of paying off your hard work. Imagine the possibilities. Love, peace, and turtles.
Nice video, but I wish you had discussed the angle at which to hold the recorder from the body. It is not easy to see in the full frontal view mostly shown. I know, the standard recommendation is 45 degrees. But recently I have been experimenting with this and I find that holding the recorder bit higher (more horizontally) provides two advantages. One, the right thumb provides more support so cross fingered slurs are easier. And two, it seems my breath goes more directly into the windway providing a better tone. Also, it is easier to always keep my throat open. What do you think?
I feel like being a pianist gives me a head start in this aspect
I'd love to know what the twisted instrument lying on the table in "La fontegara" illustration was. Did it existed a twisted version of a recorder?
I have a second hand Yamaha alto recorder with the 7th hole on the left of the instrument. I can't play with my left hand at the top for this reason; is it a left-handed recorder? It feels comfortable to play with my right hand at the top. Thanks.
Any suggestions for dealing with hyperextending 4th and 5th fingers on the left hand?
I have an alto recorder that I’m just starting to learn. I have a music book called baroque and Folk Tunes for Recorder. It does not state if it is for a C or an F instrument. How can I tell?
Hi Sarah, I can see why you recommend not supporting the recorder with the right pinky finger, but what about on a tenor, for high notes where the left thumb hole is open? I'm a newbie and I find this position very unstable. Pinky finger supporting helps a little, or ring finger supporting on top of the decorative rings is very stable. I had a try of that ONLY for when the underneath hole is open. What are your thoughts on this? Any further advice?
One of your best videos yet. Would you recommend not having the little finger of the left hand on the body of the instrument? I have seen some players that keep it on the instrument. I don'r know if it acts as a support or what. Great shirt!!!
Thanks Bill! Like the little finger of right hand, I would recommend not having the left pinkie resting on the instrument. I let that one relaxedly kind of hang out next to the ring finger..
Thank you Sarah. Your advice is already helping me.
but there are so many world class players that somehow support the recorder with the little finger... there is even the case of Michala Petri that holds the recorder with the left pinky (!) if you don't use the pinky the weight is going to somehow transfer to the playing fingers affecting your technique, unless you adopt a "David Munrow like" very upward position.
Get to it😮
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sarah nice t -shirt
Thanks for another brilliant lesson! Two questions, if you will permit.
1. Thumb rests for the tenor. Do we need them? I read an article recently that said that the best position for a thumb rest is to chuck it in the waste bin. Do you agree?
2. I haven't played in 20 years. Returning now as a serious learner. You and everyone else (Hauwe, e.g,) emphasize proper form, yet when I watch Frans Brüggen playing Telemann's Fantasie no. 3 on UA-cam he is slumped forward, legs crossed, with his fingers sometimes 3 inches above the holes! I am ever so grateful to you and would love to hear your opinions on both these questions, should you have the time. Thanks again for your generosity!
Good questions Paul - and the first one will come in next week's video! About Frans, haha he didn't have the best posture. Though in context, he was one of the very first pro recorder players at that time, with almost no-one else doing what he was doing. Now we have decades of recorder technique and developments behind us, but he was just figuring it all out! So we can be inspired by his pioneering and his musicianship, but not so much by his posture ;)
Oh thank you, I was thinking about asking the same question about Bruggen.
I like the before exercises, which need to also be after, especially the massage and shaking, but do we actually do this, Nope! I'm a violin/violist and play with a wonderful recordist in a trio and other groups. My recordist also plays sax and clarinet, and we've played all kindsl of styles of music, but I'm classical and love celtic ( I have a penny whistle in my case, just for fun). I recent bought a 1050,s " Kung alto", and this video has been very interesting and helpful. The right hand is my 'bow' hand and we control the bow with the thumb, index finger and 'pinky', for balance, but when we are playing or performing the pink pops off until the music needs bow control, then down it goes. If you don't have the control of the bow, well it makes it difficult to get the rich wonderful sounds to come out of the violin, LOL's. I live in the Florida Keys, USA and they give 'Recorder' lessons in school and my 12 yr. old grandson is taking, very helpful to him. Inportant to have proper position or you will develope bad habbits and later, pain. Difficult to undo something you've learned. Everyone had different size hands/fingers and think this causes variations in holding instrument, but your video showed the how and why's. Thank you, Kathleen
what was the guys name, the french recorder in 1707, i couldnt quite hear you
I'm 4'11 and I'm thinking of starting on a Alto Recorder. What hand span is required to play comfortably? Should I just start on a soprano?
Even a person with fairly small hands should be able to play the alto. The finger spacing is similar to a clarinet, and there's no smaller version if that (ok, technically there is, but it's an "advanced" instrument).
Of course, because of the smaller spacing and smaller holes, the soprano is easier for *everyone* to start with in terms of technique, but if you prefer the darker sound of the alto, you might be more motivated to practice, and practice is what will ultimately lead to success. If I were in your position I would probably go straight for the alto.
On the other hand, the prices of beginner recorders are such that you could simply get both an alto and a soprano and see which one you enjoy playing the most. If you continue with this hobby, you will eventually play both anyway.
WOW
My hands are " cramped " with age, so I have difficulty reaching low F and F# on my trebles. I overcame this problem by using an Aulos plastic thumbrest which costs a couple of pounds It is generally available from music shops. It also gives the instruments a more secure feel . To avoid damaging the finish of my instruments, I line the thumbrest with sticking plaster.
Good tips!
There appears to be two schools of thought on thumb position. For the high notes, I "shift" or "roll" the thumb down slightly - instead of pinching with the tip of the thumb. For me, it seems more natural and ergonomic. What is your opinion on this method?
I found another instructor on UA-cam who answered the question this way: He prefers the way I am doing it (although, according to him, there are some who disagree). He believes its faster although maybe not as precise. So...he uses both methods depending on what he is playing.
Ok Sarah, right hand fingers are too long for finger pads on holes: what about using the second section of the fingers for covering the holes? I feel much more relaxed this way but I fear it could be a bad habit...!
I also have long fingers, and I find that using the second section or allowing my fingers to point more down the recorder are the only ways to play relaxed. I'm a woodwind teacher, and I'm increasingly more concerned with function than with aesthetics. When we say a "good hand position" looks a certain way, that's a general description. I'd recommend trying rotating your wrists in exactly the way she warned against. If you can reach like that and play successfully, then it's right for you.
@@allanjmcpherson Thank you Allan, I found that the sound is different too, much more woody and dark with the fingers relaxed and gently wrapping the recorder. Also worth noting that men have different finger length than women, our index is shorter than the ring finger, the opposite is for women, maybe a different approach for every single hand is the way to go, or to try.. thank you.
@@andrealedda7766 You're very welcome. I'd recommend the pads of the fingers for any fast playing, but I've definitely seen very competent professionals play with the second section of the fingers as well. You're absolutely right. There is no one way that works for everyone. Just things that generally tend to work and things that generally don't. Ultimately, what matters is the music and our physical ease in playing it.
I do that pinky holding thingy. How does one actually get rid of it? I tend to hold with other fingers too on certain notes... Scared of dropping it, uncomfortable with it too unstable...
I was told to do a similar thing when practising fingerpicking on the Ukulele - supposed to help with stability - but due to having a very short little finger I found this technique impossible, so I just practised normally. Since then I have watched tutorials by classical guitar players who eschew this method because it creates tension and rigidity. So I guess I was lucky that my little finger was too short. As for the feeling of instability - I know what you mean because I sometimes feel that my treble recorder is slipping away from me. Hopefully Sarah's advice will help, and maybe a thumb rest will help? Good luck anyway with eradicating the habit.
+honeychurchgipsy6 thanks. I have been trying for ages. Its just hard to get used to the idea the recorder would drop.
Hi Sarah--I am new to and enjoying my soprano recorder. But, after a few minutes I lose the low C and then the low D, E and finally F. They become very high pitched and sound off. If it's really bad the air will not go through the recorder. I clear it with the included stick and some gauze. If I blow hard in the bottom hole it clears up for a few minutes and then returns. I have a nice Yamaha wooden soprano recorder. Any help would be very appreciated.
A wooden recorder often clogs up in the first few minutes and then cleara by itself- a bit like the car windows misting up on a cold morning. Oiling it may help, or adding some anti-condense solution in the windway?
@@Team_Recorder Thank you Sarah! It seems to only get worse the longer I play. I Lose more notes starting low and working their way up. The right hand notes become unplayable. Is there a particular product you recommend or should I just get a new instrument?
CORRECTION: I have a yamaha 314B which is plastic. What is happening!
My hand position is my right hand at the top is that ok?
Recorder trivia: The recorder is one of the few wind instruments that one can play without having a left little "pinky" finger. It is never used when playing the recorder. So if you don't have a left little "pinky" finger for whatever reason -- not to worry. You can still be an accomplished recorder player without having one.
I know which finger to sacrifice if I lose a bet (;
I've been holding my recorder wrong for 5 1/2 years. I have my right hand on top and left hand on bottom. Is it worth relearning how to play?
I'd say it depends what you want. If you only want to play simple music that doesn't require the half holes at the bottom of the instrument, then no. If you want to go further than that, then yes. If you do decide to make the switch, it will be incredibly frustrating at first, but you might be surprised how quickly your brain adapts.
@@allanjmcpherson
Thing is, I do use the half holes on the bottom quite regularily in my playing and I don't notice the difference.
@@cicadaboi101 there's a very definite difference in tone and intonation depending which of the holes you cover, so either you've learned to adjust to cover the larger hole in this position or you haven't refined your hearing enough yet to hear the difference.
I'm going to assume you're covering the correct hole. For these sorts of technical changes, the benefit isn't necessarily obvious until you become really comfortable with the new way of doing things.
As I see it, you have two options:
1) Make the change to avoid potential future problems even though you don't see any immediate benefit and the unconventional hand position isn't causing you any apparent problems.
2) Continue with your current hand position, but be aware of the potential this has for causing technical problems. If you find you're having difficulty with something involving the half holes, consider changing your technique then.
For what it's worth, if it were me, I'd make the switch now. The sooner you change things, the easier it is. And the half holes are set up assuming use with the right hand. Use with the left hand has the potential to introduce tension and slow technique.
@@allanjmcpherson
Yeah, you're right. I've been trying real hard to switch and I'll continue to do so. I just wanted to get more clarity. Thanks bro
@@cicadaboi101 I wish you the best with that. Changing long-standing habits can be a slow and frustrating process, but I'm certain you'll find it worth the investment. Glad I could help!
Oh, what? I got into the habit of supporting my recorder with my little finger since I watched a tutorial video by a conservatory teacher and her student. I saw her high level student doing that all the time, and thought that was a great idea and made a habit of it... for several months already... :( grrrr
Concerning my left little finger, it tends to dance (?) while practicing, pulling itself out, as if it wants to escape from its other finger friends. That brings tiredness to my left hand.
I tried a few times to put this left little finger down on the recorder, but I read in a commentary that Sarah doesn't recommend it neither.
I will have to work on my little fingers issue and get rid of those habits :)
Hi, well first off, don't worry!
The right-pinky thing is a habit a lot of people do - myself included. I trained myself out of it, but I notice I still do it if I'm tired or feeling a bit lazy... If you haven't made it a habit yet, I would recommend not!
It's basically all about keeping a natural hand position and relaxation. If you left little finger is dancing around a bit (with the movement of your ring finger, I guess) then that's fine - mine does too! Though if your hand it getting tired from it, it's worth stopping regularly to stretch, shake out and relax your hand. Keep me posted on how you get on!
I see, I am practicing now without supporting the recorder with my right pinky, there is actually no big problem.
Thank you always for your help with kind answers!
Sarah é inteligente e linda demais
I remember that when I was a kid, there was a selection for students who wants to get into orchestra. They teached us how to play recorder, and I remember that I played very well, I knew how to play guitar too. But... When it was time to be tested in front of the maestro, I played with right hand on top (I still playing like this) and he sayd that I couldn't play with the right hand on top. Then... He said that, because of that, I wouldn't join in the orchestra. Cause there was too many kids wanting to get inside the orchestra, and he couldn't open an excecion for me. I knew I was right!!! Right hand on the top!!!
>"< 13:05 ! !
I play recoreder left handed.
So I wasn't playing wrong...I was playing the renaissance way!
I cant cover the holes and relaxing my hands, especially my right hand on my alto recorder. Maybe I'm not even fit to play any alto recorders :/
#not fashionble and you like Bruno Mars
Please , translate in italian
#boo and nasty
Ladies don't pick there noses!
The information, which is good, starts after 4 minutes.
Do you wear leggings Sarah? Or just jeans
15 minutes to show you how to hold your hands on a recorder. Is this the definition of womansplaining or what?
It’s womanSPLAINING, Kenneth
@@Team_Recorder Updated, and thanks :P
TY for your vids btw!
it is just horrible